Genres
BALLET is the foundation of all dance. It originated in Italy but soon became dominated in France and Russia. Ballet is a highly technical form of dance with it's own vocabulary that comes from France. It is best known in the form of classical, but can additionally include neoclassical and contemporary ballet. Students will learn terminology in French, correct body alignment, how to improve their natural turn-out and develop a love for the most graceful living art.
JAZZ is an umbrella term that refers to several related dance styles including roots from tap, ballet, jazz music and African-American rhythms and dance. Originating from the African American vernacular dance, jazz dance evolved from a number of influences including Vaudeville and Broadway. It is one of the branches of modern dance. Notable choreographers and dancers of jazz dance include Katherine Dunham, Jack Cole, Bob Fosse and Gus Giordano. Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street and Contemporary to help develop a well rounded dancer. Curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions and combos.
CONTEMPORARY is a genre of dance that was developed during the mid 20th century. This style also branches from ballet. This style is an expressive and emotional dance that uses many elements of ballet, jazz,and lyrical. It is almost like acting. Dancers must connect the mind and body in this style.
LYRICAL is a mixture of ballet and jazz. Branching off of ballet, it is the style most similar to ballet. Dancers must learn how to use emotion and express themselves through this style as well. Lyrical pieces tell a story through the movement of the body.
ACRO or Acrobatics is a style of dance of slow controlled movements using the flexibility of the back, legs, and shoulders. Acro is a performing art that students will learn how to master the difficulty in balance, strength, agility, and coordination.
TAP is a style of dance that incorporates sound. It was developed in the nineteenth century in the USA. The name comes from the tapping sound the metals on a dancer's shoe. This makes a dancer a musician as well. Tap focuses on rhythm, style, and sound. Students will learn many different styles of tap including Broadway and Rhythmic. Exercises will focus on building flexibility on the knees and ankles while learning how to improve coordination and speed.
HIP HOP is a high energy, athletic, style that originated in the streets of the USA in the 1980's along with break dancing. Hip hop incorporates martial arts and modern dance. Class will teach students the latest moves of today along with traditional moves like "popping and locking". Students are encouraged to step out of their box and express their individuality in this style even more.
POWER POM is a very unique style of dance. This style is a mixture of Jazz, Hip Hop, Cheer, and Traditional Drill Team movements. This style has been made popular by NFL cheerleaders all over the country. This style is named after the use of poms in a more powerful punch movement.
SONG is a style of dance that originated in the roaring 20's when schools started pep clubs. Pep clubs. During the great depression, many schools tried to inspire schools to have "spirit". Song or "Pom" is a style that mixes the spirit of cheerleading with elements of Hip Hop, Jazz, and modern dance. This dance is usually performed by a Dance Team or a "Squad" wearing the colors of the school or program they represent.
FOLK OR FOLKLORICO dances can be from any country. We teach folk dances from Scotland, Egypt, Spain, France, and More. These styles of dance are good for students to learn more about body movement, but also for them to learn more about their's or other's cultures.